Caspar

Crystal's POV

WHO THE FUCK IS THIS MAN?!

What the hell is her doing here... laying next to me fúcking...NAKED?!

HOLY SHIT!

I slam a hand over my mouth to keep me from screaming. I am in an unknown bed - because this place is sure as hell NOT my apartment!- laying next to a stranger who's butt naked sleeping next to me!

His face is turned away from me and half of his head had sunk into the pillow so I can't really see him...well his face at least. Because everything else I see pretty clearly!

I stand up slowly to find my glasses on the night stand next to me! Thank God! I put them immediately and I can finally see the details of the room I'm in. The walls are grey and black. Now that is... weird... the bedsheets I notice are grey and white which comes in contrast with the darkness of the room. Two nightstands on each side of the bed, a big closed that camouflages on the wall, a full bookshelf right above a simple desk with a laptop on it right next to the window doors...

And last but not least, the body mirror against the wall right across the bed. When I stand up I can see my naked embarrassment of a self very well. My hair is messy, my makeup smuggled and my body has red spots all over it, especially my thighs, butt and neck— WHAT THE HELL DID I DO LAST NIGHT?!

The realisation is as if my brain actually wakes up and I as I gather my clothes from all around the room I can feel how sore my legs really are.

Fuck it! Fuck it!

I get dressed as quickly and quietly as I can, before searching the room for my belongings. Purse, phone, keys, money, it's all here...I dare to glance at my reflection to see me wearing that tight red dress I wore last night when I went for drinks with Nikkie. Shít! Nikkie! She must know what happened! I stumble on my heels and freak out at the idea the man has woken up...I turn around to see him just being there only to realize I should have never turned!

I don't see his face but he has the body of a Greek God! And I'm ashamed to say so, but for a moment I feel good only at the possibility that I had a hook up with a man like him! Which is stupid, immature and crazy! He would be a serial killer for all I know!

Agh! What am I even doing still here?!

I rush out quietly not paying any attention at the rest of the house until I get out the door which was thankfully unlocked! A million thoughts are racing inside my head...I am basically doing the walk of shame, I remember next to nothing of what happened last night and I have to figure out where I am in order to go home.

I mechanically walk to the elevator and press the button. Only when I look up I realize I know these newly renovated doors. I know that silver exterior and the moment the doors open and I face the familiar mirror my jaw drops.

Crystal Stone: It can't be...

This is my apartment...well, not at this floor but this building! Which only means-

...

Nikkie: And?

I stare in my coffee as I say what I figured out to Nikkie. She is the first person I called after taking a shower, changing clothes and went to the pharmacy to get the next day's pill. When I washed off, it was obvious I had sex with that stranger and I couldn't take any chances of whether or not we did it without protection. I also noted to myself to go get a check up for STIs and STDs.

Crystal: *sighs* I still can't believe how I ended up doing this!

I rest my head against my hand feeling exhausted not only physically but also mentally. It hasn't really been my day, not my week either, or even my month if I'm being honest. And I don't understand what I'm doing wrong when I was so convinced I was on the right path!

Nikkie: Hey, Crystal, what happened can't be undone okay? I will help you figure out what happened and how you ended in this man's bed, I promise. But firstly I need you to tell me who was he!

I look at my friend's concerned face and take a deep breath before saying his name outloud. A name that everybody knows, in the US and beyond.

Crystal: Caspar D'Angelo.

Nikkie looks at me for a moment long without blinking before she bursts into a hearted laughter. She looks at me laughing as if I said the most hilarious thing in the world and when she tries to speak is between breathy chuckles.

Nikkie: Oh my god girl! For a moment there you had me! Oh gosh, you are convincing!

My expression remains unchanged not sure if I should laugh with her or start freaking out that such an unrealistic scenario happened to me. Caspar D'Angelo is one of the most impactful men in the world right now. He invented the most recent security system technology for any device a human can possibly possess. His remarkable work as a - well basically hacker-but as the government calls it, an exceptional computer literate/ programmer.As if not everybody in this generation knows how to use a PC!

But that's not even the point.

Caspar at the age of 34 has achieved what many fought a lifetime to reach. He has connections with the most influential people in NY. He has the favour of the government and FBI has not once but twice asked for his services! The man had made millions for himself all while keeping his privacy and being the talk of the town because of how much of a model material he is or how his affairs have any effect on his work.

I know it seems unrealistic and yet... it's happening! It's reality and as of now, my reality! Even though D'Angelo is one of the people you'll see on screen and can only even imagine of taking a glimpse of their life, you can't really comprehend how they actually exist. Yet, as it seems they do. And again (!) as it seems I have slept with that same idol everybody's talking about! To my friend this sounds as crazy as if it would be me telling her I fucked Marilyn Monroe!

That's why I understand her reaction. Cause I'd probably react the same way. So I say nothing. I just wait for her to calm down and focus on my expression that has remained the same.

Nikkie: Okay, Crystal! You can drop the act!

Crystal: It's not an act.

Her face falls at my steady yet low voice and her eyes widen in realisation.

Nikkie: Wait- Wait a minute. Are you serious? You are not joking?!

Crystal: I wish, I was.

She stands up and goes to pour herself a glass of water.

Nikkie: Wait a damn minute! You said you woke up in a bedroom that turned out to be...HIS bedroom? In this same building? Top floor, the penthouse?!

Crystal: Yes, yes and yes. You are the one who find me this apartment Nikkie, you were the one who told me about D'Angelo owning the penthouse.

Nikkie: I also was the one who told you I have never seen him hanging around the area! Like...NEVER since he bought it!

I breathe out in a sudden need of fresh air.

Crystal: I don't know Nik, I really don't. I am as confused and shocked as you are! I have no intention of getting involved with a man like him, that's the last I need.

Nikkie: But if what you told me is true-

I stop her.

Crystal: It is. For better or worse it is true.

She nods taking a deep breath before settling back into her chair with the full glass of water at hand.

Nikkie: Okay. Well, in that case, you are already involved with him.

Crystal: Not necessarily. I mean, I hardly remember how we even got there or what happened before and, or during whatever encounter we had. And by the way he was passed out in that bed I can only assume he doesn't remember either.

Nikkie: That's possible, but how are you going to know?

Crystal: It's not like I'm gonna go ask for an explanation from him, so I'll just pretend it never happened.

Nikkie looks thoughtful for a moment before she sips some of her water and nods.

Nikkie: Well, it makes sense. Maybe it's going to work.

Crystal: It must, work!

I sigh, and she chuckles softly as if not sure what to believe or how to act.

Nikkie: Oh Crystal, that's a situation only your unluckily lucky ass could get into!

I shake my head at her description because I see nothing lucky in this whole situation. I still don't remember how I got so much out of control that I didn't throw up and yet I can remember nothing from a point on! We were tipsy when we left the bar with Nikkie, that much I remember. We bought a bottle of wine intending to finish our little outing with some wine at my place. Only we started drinking it on the road and at some point I dropped off Nikkie at her house and headed to mine.

And from that point on - I remember nothing! A blank space...

We usually text each other or be on the phone until we both get home safe but somehow yesterday everything got out of hand and now, here I am!

Crystal: Okay let's think logically. Caspar D'Angelo is one of the most wanted bachelors at the moment. He is successful, young and rich. I am sure he had slept with the elite and he can have any woman he wants.

Nikkie: That's probably true.

Crystal: Exactly! So even assuming we did-

Nikkie: Fuck? Oh, you definitely did!

Crystal: *sighs* Yes, that. I doubt he will remember me or give a damn about me. I'm just another number for him maybe he even keeps a score. So I'm good right?

I am putting my thoughts in order and yet I find my friend looking at me, somewhat disappointed.

Crystal: What?!

Nikkie: I mean, what you said makes sense and yes, you are most likely good, but I don't understand how you treat this with such apathy. I mean if I slept with Caspar I would write it on papers, post it on Instagram, even scream from a rooftop! And he could ditch me the next day, but like, it's crazy, and hot and just WOAH!

I wish I could match her energy yet I was completely unable to.

Crystal: And he'd go out saying I'm just another crazy fan of his, he'd throw me under the bus to come clean and he'd achieve. I could lose my job, my credibility and my dignity only because I drunk a little too much.

She pouts at me. Half annoyed and half sad, that I burst her bubble.

Nikkie: You should stop being so pessimistic.

Crystal: I see life and society as it is. I'm being realistic not pessimistic. And honestly I wonder how you are not more like that?!

She shrugs it off as if it's a stupid question and maybe it is. Nikkie is working on real estate. Her father did too and her brother does as well. She comes from a wealthy family but she did everything she could to climb that ladder on her own and she is succeeding! Yet, she is one woman who always had what she wanted one way or another. Except from a privileged upbringing she is one of the most alluringly beautiful I've ever come across!



Her face is flawless and her body right out of a modern fashion catalogue. She is a woman who exudes such elegance and femininity it's magnetic! So, for better or for worse as long as the pretty privilege applies on our lives she'll most likely have it in life easier than many. Maybe that's why she always sees the good and let it outweigh the bad, sometimes even when she obviously shouldn't. I on the other hand, learnt that life is anything but a fairytale and I'm treating it exactly as that.

A trap in disguise. So no, I'm not going to take any chances on getting my life shattered because of the power and arrogance a man beholds.

I studied, I educated myself, I allowed employers to doubt me only for me to prove my worth louder. I fought my own battles to be where I am today and I'm not going to risk any of it because I was stupid enough to get wasted!

Crystal: Let's just agree, that last night never happened.

Nikkie smiles with a nod even though I can see she wants to discuss this a whole lot more!

Nikkie: Sure thing babes, in fact I don't even know what you are talking about.

I smile at her grateful for that approach. You can breathe now Crystal, nothing will change. You'll just go back to your life without any problems.

*Doorbell ringing*

I jump up and Nikkie looks at me spooked by my reaction.

Nikkie: Calm down, it's just the door!

Crystal: One that nobody except you and the mailman rings. And today is Saturday so it's not the mailman and you are here!

Nikkie: Which means?

Crystal: That it cannot be good news!

I head to the door and open it slowly. A man in a black and white butler's uniform in his mid sixties looks at me up and down with a look that can be nothing but judgemental. When he stops at my eyes he gives me a cold smile that for some reason send chills down my spine.

Crystal: Um, hello?

Butler: Are you Ms. Stone?

Crystal: I am, yes.

Butler: Could you please follow me, then miss?

Crystal: No, I can't. Who are you, and what do you want?

The man suppress a scowl as if I'm an annoyance to him.

Butler: Mr. D'Angelo is sending me. He'd like for the two of you to have an, as he said, productive little conversation.

I stare blankly at the man, I am unable to speak at the hearing of his demand.

Nikkie: No.

Nikkie who had creeped next to me without me realising answers for me making the man to raise an eyebrow as he watches her head to toe.

Nikkie: You said Mr. D'Angelo wants to have a word with Ms. Stone, then he is the one coming to ask for it, not the other way around.

The man looks at her for a moment longer and I find myself holding my breath until he speaks turning his attention to me.

Butler: Is that what, you'd like me to tell him?

Nikkie is right. He wants to see me. He'll have to make the first move, not I really want to but I'd definitely feel more comfortable if this show was about to happen on my own terms.

Crystal: Yes.

I answer bluntly and he nods with a subtle bow of his head.

Butler: Very well. I shall deliver your answer to my master.

His master? For real? Is that how he addresses him?!

The man walks to the elevator and disappears and I close the door slamming my back against it. Nikkie pats my shoulder and gives me forced smile.

Nikkie: That went well. So much for forgetting that might!

Crystal: Well I am willing to pretend it never happened...but...

As it seems Caspar D'Angelo has other plans. And I'm anything but willing to find out about them!